Today it gives me great pleasure to show you a wonderful Ken Spencer figure which was created for and used by Bill Bernstein from Florida. I was extremely happy when this figure arrived to become a part of the Ventriloquist Central Collection.
This figure is in great all original condition and does show a small amount of wear on his face and hands but the condition is still so good that this is an example that I would not touch. He must remain as you see him.
He stands 44″ tall and has Ken’s particular style ball and socket neck which gives great mobility of the head. His wig is original and is attached at the back of the head so that with a little quick movement the wig flips up. Done for Mr Bernstein this was on his request. He has side to side non self centering eyes but these eyes also roll to wink or blink. Individual controls. He has slot jaw and upper lip sneer which make him have a very open mouth. He also has raising eyebrows and wiggling ears. As matter of fact these ears go out farther than any ears I have seen. They actually become perpendicular to his head. I also love that this fellow has an elongated nose which gives him a great cartoony look.
The body is all original and is made of wood and covered with muslin. The arms and legs are all original with original stuffing. He has a light up bow tie which is controls by a battery box inside the body.
This is the way I like to find ventriloquist figures and I love to be able to share them with you.
Click here to see Bill Bernstein’s Ken Spencer Ventriloquist Figure
Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com
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Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. He created the Ventriloquist Central Collection. It now has over 100 ventriloquist figures and over 50 of them are Frank Marshall figures. Because of his love for the art of ventriloquism, Mr. Willinger created the website Ventriloquist Central. For more information about the website, go to: http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com
Copyright 2010 by Dan Willinger
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Very nice Spencer figure! Congratulations, Dan!
Bill Bernstein and Bernie are some of my favorite childhood memories. They were part of numerous vacation bible schools I attended as a child in the early fo mid 1970’s. I have an 8×10 photo of Bill and Bernie. I loved when Bernie was in his suitcase telling Bill to “get me out of here!!” and when he flipped his wig, the kids would go crazy with laughter.
If anyone knows Bill or knows how to get in touch with him, please share with him the fond memories I have of him and Bernie and the story he used to tell about Samulito. I even have his ministry cassette tapes somewhere. I listened to them throughout my childhood. He was friends with my parents but they lost touch when Bill got out of the ministry.
As a child I attended Tabernacle Baptist church in VA Beach, VA. I remember so many Vacation Bible Schools where Bernie had us children amused and enthralled during our opening time. As Patty stated, the hair flip would send us all yelling. You have a treasure in your hands…many people were led to the Lord through Bill Bernstein’s ministry!
I, too, attended TBC in Va Beach. VBS with Bill and Bernie were definitely a highlight. Good memories of childhood.